We hear from a lot of brides that the reason they opt out of a "First Look" is because they don't want to violate the "tradition" of not seeing each other before the wedding ceremony.

But where did this tradition originate?

Believe it or not, it came from arranged marriages. It was assumed that if a couple saw each other before the ceremony, they may opt to cancel the wedding if they weren't pleased with the person their parents had "chosen" for them. Before that, it was traditionally the time the daughter was sold by her parents into another family through marriage (i.e. childrearing for economic, political, or religious purposes.)

Eventually, this custom morphed into the superstition that it was bad luck to see your spouse on your wedding day before the ceremony.

At Century Tree Productions, we're big fans of First Looks for a variety of reasons.

1. It gives you more time with your spouse on your wedding day, and that’s the point, right? Spend significantly more time on your first day of marriage together!3. It opens up more time for you to enjoy your wedding reception (that you planned for a very long time) by reducing the amount of formal portraits taken after the ceremony. 3. It allows the photographer to take more photos before the ceremony while your hair and makeup is at its best.4. You can have a real conversation with laughter and tears with your almost-spouse, instead of trying to conserve your excitement at the alter by having to whisper to each other under the officiants voice. 5. Formal portraits will also be shorter too, because we can eliminate all of the formal portraits of you + your bridal party/ family without your spouse, and we can do all of them with your spouse. Win-Win. 6. Just look at this photo. It’s special. Intimate. Emotional. This is what marriage is about.

And, if you're worried about a First Look taking away from the Big Moment when you come down the aisle, you shouldn't be. It's just as meaningful and emotional for a groom to see his bride come down the aisle whether or not he's had a private moment with her before the ceremony. We promise.

At the end of the day, it's your choice! But based on our experiences in the wedding industry, a First Look is the way to go.

(And, by the way, not a single bride we've photographed has regretted doing a First Look).